Portman, a Republican, continued his Results for the Middle-Class Tax Reform Tour, with a stop at the 104-year-old family-owned and operated business, whose leaders credited the tax cuts for its ability to increase wages and make capital improvements.

State Rep. Scott Ryan, R-Newark, Licking County Commissioner Rick Black, Newark Mayor Jeff Hall and Licking County Chamber of Commerce President Jennifer McDonald joined the senator and Velvet's vice president, Joanne Dager, at the 200-year-old mill and ice cream parlor, five days before it opens for the season.

"We know about the tax relief for individuals, but on top of that, we decided we need to make American business competitive, and not just the big guys," Portman said. "People are able to do things they wouldn't have otherwise done.

"We were in Allen County yesterday and the stories are great. Everybody is investing in employees or equipment, and some, like you, are doing both," Portman told Dager. "Thank you for making the investment in your people."

Nathan Arnold, marketing manager for Velvet, said the company's total investment of about $300,000 will be made this year, except for its new warehouse management system, to be completed in 2019.

The company is increasing wages for new employees by $1.10 per hour for full-time employees and by 50 cents per hour for seasonal summer workers. Velvet employs 125 full-time workers and 50 part-timers in the summer.

Velvet will fix the roof of the mill, installing natural shingles like the ones used 200 years ago, at a cost of about $60,000 to $80,000. The new warehouse management system will increase food safety, allowing products to be traced, in case of a safety issue. And, there will be ceiling, lighting and equipment upgrades in the manufacturing area.

"These were things we wanted to do, but the tax savings allowed us to to," Arnold said.

It would have taken about three years to make the investment, without the tax cut, Arnold said.

Last year, the company completed a 26,000-square foot freezer, set at minus-20 degrees.

Portman said he has visited 12 Ohio businesses that benefited from the tax cuts.

"It's the confidence to take a risk," Portman said. "When you don't know what government is going to do, you sit on your money. It came at a good time. You can pay people more and attract workers."

On other topics, Portman said:

On job training: "We're trying to get more money into training programs, and I think that has a good chance of passing this year."

On the gun violence protests: "I commend the young people for stepping forward and letting their views be known." He said a bipartisan bill to improve background checks has been signed by the president.

On the Second Chance Act helping people get jobs after incarceration: "Not everybody works out, but most work out well, because they're grateful. The success rate is incredibly high."

In response to Hall's comment that collaboration works in Licking County and not compromising may mean you get "100 percent of nothing," Portman said, "They need you in the U.S. Senate.